Eldersburg Dunkin Donuts

Rising from the ashes of the Tangier Crab House Restaurant, the new Dunkin Donuts on Liberty Road recently opened, with customers and traffic exceeding capacity. This past Sunday I stopped by to quickly check it out and to pick up some breakfast for the family. Big mistake. There was no parking and standing room only inside. The drive-through line coagulated into those trying to park which coalesced onto Marvin Avenue, culminating into a big ole mess. Several folks circled around the parking lot helplessly, and some finding parking, walking in to the crowd of lines, then walking right back out. I wasn't alone in sharing the Dunkin Donuts frustrations, as Roch Kubatko of the Baltimore Sun only got a few donut crumbs that still remained.

What's interesting about the robust business of Dunkin Donuts in Eldersburg is that it died an Ilyichian death almost directly across Liberty Road. Was it that the previous size was too small? Was it not on the side of the morning commute?

Either way, the new DD has good breakfast food, but the service is still a bit lacking at this point...not quite the personableness of Habib's....plus a large coffee will set you back 30 cents more. On the upside, breakfast entrees are featured all day long and they've got a cool-tasting flatbread sandwich.

Goodbye Ian Jr.

Saturday, I attended a memorial service for Ian Baggett Jr, the young man whose life was taken very prematurely in an accident on Liberty Road with a motorcycle and pickup truck. The service was held at Patapsco State Park and was attended by hundreds of family, friends, and folks who knew Ian Jr. from MasterTech Automotive, where he worked for his father Ian Sr. The outdoor memorial was held at the park, as it was where Ian Jr. had his graduation celebration from the Marines. Although there was grief over the tragedy, the peacefulness of the park and the honor of the U.S. flag and Marine pictures made the memorial more of an appreciation of a good person whose time was cut short more than just saying goodbye to someone we knew.

One notable moment of warmth during the memorial was when the lead namesake singer of the Kelly Bell Band stopped by, said a few words, then led everyone in song. The Kelly Bell Band had played in Eldersburg last Saturday night and Ian Jr was planning to see them perform, as it was his favorite band, but was then in the tragic accident hours before. Kelly remembered Ian Jr. from several gigs and was honored to be there. Like many others, I was honored to see Kelly and hear his beautiful strong voice, reassuring and bonding.

There was no struggle to find something nice to say about Ian Jr, as he was genuinely a wonderful person: a proud Marine graduate, working for his father, going to school at night, and looking towards a good future. More than that, he was a great friend, son, and warm soul that will be missed dearly. Goodbye Ian Jr.